Noganosh Lake Provincial Park Canoe Route

Noganosh Lake Provincial Park is an incredible wilderness area accessible by canoe. With approximately 30.4 square kilometres protected wilderness, Noganosh Lake Provincial Park is classified as a waterway class provincial park in recognition of its representative natural features and historical resources.

The boundary of the park includes shore lands on both sides of the watercourse, the waters, the riverbed and the Crown islands between these shores. The Crown shore lands extend 60 metres from the waters edge around Portage Lake, Sunny Lake, and from the portage between Noganosh and Sunny Lakes, 120 metres throughout most of the west side of the park, and generally 200 metres elsewhere. Where the park abuts private land, the boundary extends to the waters edge.

The park also includes Smoky Creek, a natural link between the park and the Kawigamog Lake-Pickerel River system to the north. Noganosh Lake Provincial Park borders Magnetawan River Provincial Park to the south and Island Lake Forest and Barrens Conservation Reserve to the east. Most of the lands surrounding the park are within the Parry Sound Interior Remote Access Enhanced Management Area.

There are several backcountry canoe camping camp sites all over the park. Many of the sites are well maintained by visitors and park staff and offer a thunder box privy.

The Access Point

Located an hour north of Parry Sound, Ontario, you can access the park from Highway 522 (about 3 1/2 hours north of Toronto). Noganosh is a park non-operating which means that there are no permits or registration required to use the space.

Ess Narrows is a popular access point and is conveniently located on Highway 522. Its a well maintained boat launch and parking lot. From there you can unload your car, pack your canoe and start your adventure on Kawigamog Lake. Travelling south on Kawigamog will take you to Smoky Creek which leads into the park.

This was the first time I visited Noganosh Lake Provincial Park and I was travelling in with my friend Derek. We had canoe tripped together a few times before and prefer to paddle our own solo boats to give more freedom and independence for exploring and fishing.

We started our trip at Ess Narrows on Highway 522 and paddled south on Kawigamog Lake to the park boundary and portages that lead into Smoky Creek and eventually to Smoky Lake.

The weather was calling for heavy rain with thunderstorms forecast further north. 

The rain doesn't bother me while paddling during the warm months of summer, and I find it more refreshing than a hinderance. A part of me thinks back to when I was a lot younger and would go out and play in the rain as a young boy. I know that it's easy enough to get dried off and change into fresh clothes once I've finished with my fun.

To prepare for the trip, we were using the Magnetawan-Noganosh Backcountry Map created by Jon at Backcountry Angling Ontario . The map is provided for free, so I'm including a copy here to make it easy for you to find it.

We had used this map last year during our Magnetawan Canoe Trip and were very happy with the detail it provided, helping us find a few nice fishing holes.

It's actually difficult to sum up the highlights of this trip. 

It was one of those experiences when every moment brought something new or made me shake my head amazed that so much was unfolding all in one trip. From the great weather, the amazing fishing, the friendly water conditions and the wildlife sightings (turtles, beaver, moose, heron and bear)... This trip had it all.

Oh, and did I mention that we practically had the entire park to ourselves?

Noganosh Lake Provincial Park quickly became one of my new favorite places to explore and I can't wait to get back there.